Healed from past hurt, and ready to find a home

Scars along Axel's face and head tell a tragic story that pulled at a community's heartstrings. Fortunately, for the pit bull mix, his story is nearing a happy ending.

In November, Manatee County Animal Services Officer Steve Bell rushed a dog he found wandering the streets of Bradenton to Beach Veterinary Clinic in Cortez. Despite a bloody gash on his head, the dog wagged his tail as technicians prepared him for surgery.

Nearly five months later, the dog -- happy as ever but now responsive to the commands of sit, stay and focus -- is ready for a new home.

"We're proud to announce that Axel is available for adoption," said Kris Weiskopf, division chief of Animal Services, at a gathering Wednesday afternoon in Palmetto. "We will review applications over the next couple of weeks."

A selection committee has been formed to find Axel an owner.

"He's just come so far," said Trisha Antonelli of Dawg Phonics, who has trained and fostered Axel since January. "It's going to be very hard to pick the right one.

"It needs to be someone who can establish an alpha position like I have. They have to have a strong personality. They can't feel sorry for him."

When she picked Axel up from Beach Veterinary Clinic, Antonelli said he pulled her on the leash and did not understand how to properly greet people and other dogs. Now, with the use of an e-collar, Antonelli has trained Axel to be off-leash.

"He's a big couch potato that wants to be loved," Antonelli said. "He is very attentive, very nursing."

Antonelli said Axel could go to a home with older children or a female dog, though he does not do well with other male dogs.

"We're focused on training him so nobody has future issues or the desire to return him," Antonelli said. "He has no anxiety. He loves people, considering someone was very brutal to him."

Axel's skull was shattered by the injury, likely inflicted by an ax or other blunt object, but his brain was spared. Dr. Luke Berglund performed surgery on the dog, removing bone fragments and repairing damage to his sinus cavity. For more than two weeks, Axel wore a cone collar to prevent scratching of the blue sutures across his head. Older scars along his back and paws show that Axel may have been used in fights or as a bait dog.

"In all he's been through -- the poking, prodding, staples and drain tubes -- you could get face-to-face with him and he'll lick you and wag his tail," Weiskopf said. "That shows how pets and humans interact, and the unconditional love he's willing to give to anyone."

Weiskopf said many animals continue to love despite abuse, though Axel's story has captivated animal lovers near and far. He will continue to appear at Animal Services events, Weiskopf said.

"I feel so strongly about him," said Trisha Grant, who began volunteering as a dog walker for Animal Services when she learned about Axel. "There are hundreds of other dogs we don't know about. It made me think that people need to be aware so they can help."

Grant, who passed Axel's story along to friends in England, adopted her own pit bull, Charlie, on Friday.

"I was lonely and he needed a home," she said.

Despite rewards of up to $13,600 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Axel's attacker, Animal Services has no leads on the case.